As I mentioned in last month’s post, I think my sketch kit always
begins with the sketchbook, which guides all the other choices. Without much expectation
for color in these wet and gray months, it’s a good opportunity to give toned
paper the solid trial I have been wanting to give it, so a 5 ½-by-8 ½ inchStillman & Birn Nova is my sketchbook of choice. A few months
ago I gave the gray one a shot for urban sketches, but I really enjoyed using
the tan one for life drawing at Drawing Jam a few weeks ago (and more recently at Zoka Coffee). I’m starting this personal challenge with the tan one, but
I may switch to gray if I feel like it, just for a change (all other tools
would remain the same).

In the past when I’ve experimented with using a S&B
softcover sketchbook as my daily-carry, I’ve found it to be bulkier than I like
(especially compared to a single signature of paper, which is my usual
daily-carry). But with all my colored pencils and other materials taken out, my
bag has plenty of room for it.

In addition to a Nova as my primary sketchbook, I’m also
carrying a small Field Notes notebook
as always. Normally I prefer a red one, but since that’s basically toned paper
too, it seems redundant during this challenge. I’m starting with a white one,
which would give me different options while using the same tools.

As for those tools, here’s my carefully considered selection
(from top):

Viarco ArtGraf 6B water-soluble graphite pencil. I was tempted to put in aGekkoso 8Bor some other super-soft
graphite to go with the Blackwing’s medium softness (the two together are a
good pairing for value studies). But since the ArtGraf is water-soluble in
addition to being dark and soft, it works double-duty, giving me more bang for
the slim sketch kit buck.

Caran D’Ache Bicolor red/blue combo pencil. This combo pencil is my only color medium during this challenge!
With two colors, it’s as compact and streamlined as I can get – and the cores
are even water-soluble! While I’ve tried several novelty double-sided colored
pencils, none have cores worth using. Intended for editing, this Caran d’Ache, however,
contains the same high-quality water-soluble cores as its Supracolorline. (I sure wish Caran d’Ache would come out with a small
set of double-sided pencils using Supracolor cores! That would be my colored
pencil dream come true! See tomorrow’s post for more dreams.)

My intention is to stick to this basic set of tools, but as
with the sketchbook, I reserve the right to switch out one implement for
another if something isn’t working as I had hoped. But I want to avoid thinking
about the kit and switching materials every time I go out, because that would defeat
my guiding principle of keeping things low-maintenance.

A prototype sketch kit case made by my favorite bag manufacturer.

These specific tools weren’t difficult to choose; most of
them appear on my list of 2017 Top Products, so they are already time-tested and trusted. But there’s an
important reason why I am committed to sticking with this particular number of tools: It’s exactly the number
that fits in this beautiful case, which also has room for a Field Notes
notebook or a 3 ½-by-5 ½ inch Stillman & Birn sketchbook. Slim and compact,
it fits nicely in my bag. (It’s a prototype case that I’m testing for the
manufacturer. It hasn’t been released publicly, so I’m not allowed to talk
about it, but I’m really hoping it will eventually go into production.) The case
is not just convenient and attractive; it’s also self-enforcing. If I want to
put something new in, I must take something else out or it won’t fit. It’s
going to keep me honest for this self-challenge.

Although bag weight is not a
primary concern or motivator for this challenge, I have had shoulder issues in
the past, so I do try to minimize the weight of my daily-carry in general (and
especially when I travel). I weighed my bag with all my usual gear, and it came
in at just under 4 pounds (1.78 kg). With my slimmed-down kit, my bag now weighs
about 3 ¼ pounds (1.49 kg). I’m a bit surprised that it doesn’t weigh even
less, but the S&B sketchbook weighs quite a bit more than a single DIY signature.

That’s it – my super-minimal, daily-carry kit! I am
committed to it until the S&B Nova sketchbook is full. And just because I
know you’re curious, shown below are all the things I took out of my bag!

Will I miss all my colors and other materials and regret this
challenge? Or will I realize I can do without a lot of stuff permanently? We’ll
both find out! Anyone want to join me in this quest for minimalism? (Don’t
worry – it’s just temporary.😉)Edited 2/19/18: Find out about the results of my two-month minimalism challenge!